tú khẩu cẩm tâm (miệng thêu, lòng gấm)

Definition

1. Idiom (Thành ngữ):
   • Beautiful words, beautiful heart: A classical idiom describing a person whose speech is as elegant and refined as embroidery, and whose heart or intentions are as splendid as brocade. It signifies the harmony between eloquent, beautiful language and virtuous, beautiful thoughts.
   • Eloquence and virtue: Refers to the ideal combination of having both a silver tongue (skillful and beautiful speech) and a heart of gold (good and sincere intentions).

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Nhà văn ấy thật đúng là tú khẩu cẩm tâm, văn chương đẹp mà tấm lòng còn đẹp hơn. (That writer truly has "beautiful words, a beautiful heart"; his literature is beautiful, but his character is even more beautiful.)
  • Đừng nghe những lời đường mật, phải tìm người tú khẩu cẩm tâm. (Don't listen to honeyed words; you must find a person with "eloquence and virtue".)

Advanced Usage

• This idiom is often used in literary or formal contexts to praise scholars, writers, or virtuous individuals. It sets a high standard, implying that external expression and internal morality are both exquisite and aligned.

Variants and Related Words

• Khẩu Phật tâm xà (Miệng nam mô, bụng một bồ dao găm): An antonymic idiom meaning "Buddha's mouth, snake's heart" – describing someone whose speech is kind but whose heart is malicious.
• Ngôn hành nhất trí: Meaning "words and actions are in unison," emphasizing consistency between what one says and does, which relates to the sincerity aspect of "tú khẩu cẩm tâm".

Synonyms

• Eloquent and virtuous: Skillful in speech and morally good.
• Silver-tongued and good-hearted: Having persuasive, elegant speech coupled with a kind nature.

Related Idioms

• Lời nói gói vàng: "Words wrapped in gold" – meaning valuable, precious words. This relates to the "tú khẩu" (embroidered mouth) part of the idiom, emphasizing the beauty and value of the speech itself.